Ido Shahar’s assist for Maccabi’s second goal against Hapoel Hadera that secured a 2-0 State Cup victory and a place in the Round of 16 draw. At the end of the match, the 22-year-old midfielder said after the tough match on a difficult surface at Netanya: “It was really difficult to play here tonight on this pitch. We noticed it already in the warm-up as after we returned from the warm-up the conditions were even worse. There was mud everywhere which made playing especially in midfield even more challenging. But that was something both teams had to deal with. Ultimately, this was a cup tie and the main thing was to advance through which is exactly what we did. We won a match which shows our character. We knew that this match would have certain stages which would have less football and more tackling, but I am delighted we kept a clean sheet and won.”

Shahar, who played the full 90 minutes for the first time this season as he made his 11^th appearance in all competitions, added: “The best thing a player can do is play. I am delighted I got a chance to play the full 90 minutes but whenever I am asked to play, I will be here and ready. Regardless of what position I will be asked to play I will still do the maximum.”

The midfielder who recently signed a long-term contract at Maccabi, spoke about the competition he faces from his fellow teammates: “This is Maccabi Tel Aviv. There are plenty of good players here especially in my position with some of them national team players. They are fun to play with and fun to train with. I learn from them a lot which adds to my game and experience. Whenever I am called upon, I will do the maximum for the team.”

 

Four days after the Toto Cup Final victory, Maccabi returned to the Netanya stadium for the State Cup Round of 32 tie away to Hapoel Hadera. Maccabi’s Head Coach, Robbie Keane, made five changes from the side that beat Maccabi Haifa in Wednesday’s final as he gave several players a chance to show themselves, while others were sent to the bench for a much needed rest.

Roi Mishpati who starred in the penalty shoot out against Haifa saving two spot kicks to help the clinch the first domestic trophy of the season, kept his place in goal. Derrick Luckassen, scorer of the winning penalty, lined-up alongside Enric Saborit as the two central defenders in front of Mishpati. Sheran Yeini, who lifted the Toto Cup as his 16th trophy in an illustrious career, started at right back as the veteran skipper began yet another quest for a trophy. Eden Kartzev, who made a substitute appearance against Haifa and scored in the shoot-out, was handed his first start in the anchorman role. Kartzev, was joined by Ido Shahar and Kiko Bondoso as Keane’s midfield trio. Yonatan Cohen was on one wing with Dan Biton on the other as the duo were assigned to supply the ammunition for Eran Zahavi who led the line.

On the bench Keane named Orlando Mosquera, Avishai Cohen, Dor Turgeman, Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky, Ofir Davidzada, Matan Baltaxa, Dor Peretz, Osher Davida.

First Half

The heavy down pour, which hasn’t stopped during the entire day, made the pitch barely playable as efforts were made prior to kickoff by the ground staff to ensure the match would be played. The opening stages saw Maccabi enjoy most of the possession, yet the heavy playing surface seemed to have favored the hosts more with none of the sides able to create an opening.

It took Maccabi 18 minutes to have their first effort on goal as Dan Biton teed-up Eran Zahavi whose shot was caught by Ohad Levita. A minute later Sheran Yeini’s first-time through was directed at Zahavi inside the area but skidded off the wet surface preventing the veteran marksman to gain control. Two minutes later Zahavi was handed another chance this time from distance after Yeini was fouled, but his low powerful drive was equalled by Levita.

Maccabi’s best chance came four minutes after the half hour mark as Ido Shahar slipped the ball to Kiko Bondoso who turned his defender before forcing Levita to save with his feet and deny the Portugeuse midfielder.

On the stroke of halftime a free kick which was launched towards Hadera’s area was knocked down by Eden Kartzev into the path of Yonatan Cohen who fed Zahavi. But once again his effort didn’t trouble the keeper too much as the ball rolled straight at Levita. Yeini seemed to have picked an injury during one of the tackles, yet the veteran captain signaled to the bench he could continue until the interval. The halftime whistle sent both teams into the dressing rooms to regroup for the second half.

Second Half

Robbie Keane made one change after the interval as Avisahi Cohen replaced the injured Yeini for the restart stepping in to the right back role.

While Maccabi enjoyed most of the possession Hadera looked more dangerous as an Elad Madmon powerful drive found Mishpati alert as the keeper punched the ball out for a corner on 55. A minute later Suliman Kulibali pounced on a loose ball deep inside Maccabi’s half but blasted his shot over the crossbar. The deadlock was finally broken right on the hour mark as Roy Rvivo chased what seemed line a lost cause before cutting the ball back for Biton. The left footed midfielder drilled the ball which took a deflection off a defender to beat Levita.

Five minutes later Yonatan Cohen caught Levita off-guard as his left foot strike rattled the far post and bounced out. Enric Saborit sent Biton clear through in the 70th minute but Levita charged off his line and gathered the ball before he could make any contact. Keane reacted with a triple substitution in the 72nd minute as he introduced Joris van Overeem for Karzev, Osher Davida replaced Biton while Dor Turgeman came on for Zahavi.

In the 80th minute Saborit required medical treatment for an ankle injury and was assisted off the pitch before Keane replaced him with Matan Baltaxa.

In the 89th minute Revivo got booked by referee Snir Levy for delaying a free kick, but when it was taken Maccabi doubled their lead. Revivo picked Ido Shahar whose square ball across the face of goal was blasted in by Davida.